The majority of MPs who responded to MP Watch want parliamentary democracy strengthened. Two top suggestions for doing this were reforming election practices and having parliamentary select committees.

TO what extent have Bersih 2.0’s demands for a clean, free and fair election been met? What new measures have been introduced thus far as Malaysia heads to the polls on 5 May 2013 and are they good enough?

While most of the MPs who were voted in in 2008 believe in the separation of powers between the three pillars of government, up to 40% of those who replied to MP Watch say the concept is not fully practised in Malaysia. This is especially because the executive is too powerful.

DING Jo-Ann highlights how the traditional media has manipulated the facts in two instances in the current general election. Such distortions harm public discourse and deeper understanding of issues, so crucial to us in a multi-ethnic, multi-religious society.

WHAT is the campaign trail like outside modern, urban constituencies, such as in a Felda settlement? Photojournalist Danny Lim gives us a glimpse of how a political party woos a rural community of farmers.

Think tank Refsa makes an argument for “one clear cut choice” at the polls after comparing both the BN and PR on the issues of hudud, poor candidates and political violence.